News

Man avoids jail after assaulting police officers in Kinver

A MAN who assaulted two police officers and sparked a manhunt in Kinver has been spared jail.

Shaun Griffiths, aged 44, of Redwood Drive, Kinver, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault including actual bodily harm - and he was slapped with a six-month prison term, suspended for 12 months, when he was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court.

The incident, which unfolded on the evening of Saturday January 11, saw police called out to Redwood Drive where a man was reported to be acting aggressively.

On arrival at the scene attending officers were confronted by Griffiths, who was making threats of violence.

Due to his demeanour and behaviour the officers called for more patrols to attend but when back up arrived Griffiths assaulted two officers as they tried to detain him.

He then ran off, sparking a manhunt which saw officers comb the village and surrounding areas.

The force helicopter also assisted in the search and the two injured male officers were taken to Russell Hall Hospital, Dudley, for treatment.

As well as the suspended jail term - Griffiths, who was sentenced on Tuesday, was also ordered to pay compensation of £100 to each of the officers and £340 court costs.

After the sentencing, Inspector Geoff Knight, Commander of South Staffordshire Local Policing Team, said: "Myself and the officers are extremely disappointed with the apparent leniency of the sentence."